A high school have reached their wit’s end and began to instill drastic measures to eradicate bullying.
Pimpama State Secondary College has now completely banned mobile phones in the hope it will end cyber bullying.
The Gold Coast school said they will confiscate phones and hand out detentions if students are caught playing on their devices in class or on lunch breaks.
The Gold Coast school said they will confiscate phones and hand out detentions if students are caught playing on their devices in class or on lunch breaks
This initiative is one of many after the tragic death of teenager Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, 14, (pictured) who took her own life
Students caught with their phones will have it taken from them, be handed a ticket and collect it after school.
According to principal John Thornberry, social media has caused a massive impact at school.
‘There is a lack of empathy and students are unable to speak face-to-face, read body language and facial expressions,’ Mr Thornberry told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
‘We have incidents of kids during lunchtime who have had a photo taken of them without their permission, or texting in the playground things that are inappropriate or nasty’.
Mr Thornberry said cyber bullying not only needs to be addressed at school, but also in the community.
‘Cyberbullying plays out in schools, but it is something that needs to be tackled as a whole community as most of the bullying itself happens at home. A school initiative around cyber bullying can’t be the only step,’ he said.
Pimpama State Secondary College (pictured) has now completely banned mobile phones in the hope it will end cyber bullying
This initiative is one of many after the tragic death of teenager Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett.
The 14-year-old took her own life in January this year after it was believed she was bullied online.
Dolly’s death catapulted a nation-wide campaign to stop cyber bullying in Australia.
The campaign investigates what legal measures can be taken to fight the issue.
For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14.
For further support contact Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 and MensLine Australia1300 78 99 78.
Students caught with their phones will have it taken from them, be handed a ticket and collect it after school